SCIE104 Weather and Climate
Department of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics: Science
- I. Course Number and Title
- SCIE104 Weather and Climate
- II. Number of Credits
- 4 credits
- III. Number of Instructional Minutes
- 3750
- IV. Prerequisites
- Reading Placement Test score Level 3 or READ110 (C or better) or COMP108 (C or better); and Math Placement Test score of 5 or higher or MATH095 (C or better)
- Corequisites
- None
- V. Other Pertinent Information
- This course meets the General Education requirement for Scientific Literacy. This course meets the General Education requirement for Quantitative Literacy.
- VI. Catalog Course Description
- This lecture and laboratory based course investigates the principles and processes that govern weather and climate on Earth. Topics include the structure of the atmosphere, temperature, air pressure, wind, cloud types and cloud formation, precipitation and storm formation, climate, and introduction to basic weather map interpretation and forecasting.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
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Course Learning Goals
Students will:
- explain the scientific method of analysis and apply it to situations related to weather and climate [Scientific Literacy];
- identify the observable and experimental bases of science and relate them to the basic scientific discipline of meteorology [Scientific Literacy];
- analyze, interpret, and apply quantitative information as it relates to meteorology [Quantitative Literacy];
- examine atmospheric processes and variables and their relationship to weather and climate.
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Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
The following topics are presented:
- Evolution and structure of Earth's atmosphere
- Temperature and the controls of temperature
- Heating the atmosphere
- Humidity
- Atmospheric stability
- Cloud formation and cloud types
- Air pressure, wind, and atmospheric circulation
- Air masses, fronts, precipitation, and midlatitude cyclones
- Thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes
- Basic weather map interpretation and forecasting
- Introductory satellite and radar imagery interpretation
- Climate and climate change
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Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
Exams, quizzes, class participation, lab exercises, and projects as specified in the individual instructor's syllabus are utilized. -
Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
Students use educational resources as approved by the department and specified in the individual instructor's syllabus.
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Review/Approval Date -12/2016